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Author
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Topic: another distributor question....
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67resto-coupe
Gearhead Posts: 123
From: sacramento, ca. usa
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-14-2001 11:49 PM
   
ok, here's the new thought for my new long block...i really can't afford the msd set-up and while the duraspark idea sounds appealing, i thought of a third option. i could just use my original distributor, only upgrade it with the pertronix module and add the steel dist gear to work with the new roller cam. i figure the whole thing would cost me no more than $100. i'm curious, though, what type of wear and tear would the original distributor have on it and would the pertronix upgrade fix it? i'm getting nickel and dimed by this crate motor, so i've got to be smart about how to get this thing running.
thanks for the help...jeff
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mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 5739
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-14-2001 03:32 AM
I think the duraspark may be better than the Pertronix. I've had two early cars with HO motors. The first had duraspark and the one I have now is Pertronix with the Pertronix coil. I bought a rebuilt early dist.{from Pep Boys!!} LOL! and bought a steel gear from Mustangs Unlimited, I believe, but I think NPD may have them. It works well and I have no complaints. It is a driven car and it isn't used for racing, etc. I'm happy with it. My previous one had Duraspark with an 85 dist. and a hookup harness from Total Performance.
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67resto-coupe
Gearhead Posts: 123
From: sacramento, ca. usa
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-16-2001 12:59 AM
can anyone else chime in on the pertronix units? better/worse than the duraspark? msd really worth all that $$? thanks...long block should be here by this wed, so i need to get this stuff quick!!!
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Greenstang
Gearhead Posts: 908
From: its all a fog..
Registered: May 2001
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posted 07-16-2001 04:37 AM
I've had the pertroniz on a 289 in a mustang, and a 390 in a Thunderbird. The one in the 390 T-bird burned out in less than 6K miles... the one in the Msutnag is still going strong after about 10K. I never ran a duraspark but can tell you the pretronix has nearly no difference in the but-o-mometer to a mallory unilte. They feel the same...------------------
Marcus
Audi R8-
The new definition of "The Unfair Advantage."
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69maverick
Gearhead Posts: 906
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-16-2001 10:07 AM
You can get a 1985 duraspark dis. for a 5.0 mustang 4bb.single advance for 44.95 at Advanced Auto and a Crain H.R.series Box for about 80 bucks right from Crain or they sell a whole conversion for 125.oo or so and you use your old Dis.
P.S. My son had a Petronix and it died in about 8 months
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MrXerox
Gearhead Posts: 327
From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 07-16-2001 10:50 AM
My advice is to do it right the first time. If you have the investment of a roller cam surely you can afford a MSD if you save up a bit. Remember, all parts work together with each other and what you skimp on now will directly affect performance throughout the entire combo. Been there, done that and have plenty of spare cheap parts stuck in the corner because of it.
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ccode67
Gearhead Posts: 1697
From: douglasville,ga,usa
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-16-2001 11:55 AM
I've been running a pertronix in my 289 for close to 2 years, no problems, (see me knocking on wood). 
Cheap way to get moving, pertronix and gear.------------------
Stuart MCA #48902
67 stang 5 speed
91 f-150 xlt
98 explorer xlt sohc v-6
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JAAZZY
Gearhead Posts: 745
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 07-16-2001 06:41 PM
I'd agree with MrXerox, do it right the first time. I can't remember the brand but when I did my first combo 15 years back I had the electronic conversion put in my stock dist. It worked well but was always a cause for suspicion when I had a problem. At some point it failed. I went back to points and saved a little money. Eventually I replaced it with the Mallory Comp 9000 with a Mallory Coil and a Hyfire box. It has worked great and has been completely trouble free.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 33988
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 07-17-2001 03:08 PM
I'd go with the Duraspark. A lot of our members have had failure with the Petronix units.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 M code 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Lok
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC {Wife's car...}
All Fords since 1977
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67resto-coupe
Gearhead Posts: 123
From: sacramento, ca. usa
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-17-2001 03:59 PM
yeah, thanks, steve, i think i'll go duraspark as well. problem is...everytime i look for the unit online, there are several different ones to pick from(?). i know to look for the 85 gt/manual/4bbl carb unit so that it comes with the steel gear, but i've seen several that have it and i just get confused on which is the right one. plus, i went to napa and the counter guy argued with me about the size of the steel gear, said i didn't need the steel and cast iron was fine and he pulled one that had a funky plug on it...i think he pulled the EFI duraspark. anyhow, if anyone has part #'s that could help me narrow it down, it'd be fantastic!! again, the dist is for a NEW 5.0 long block, E303 cam, carb, c-4 set-up. i plan on running the msd6A box and know to get the plug adapter to hook them up, plus the blaster 2 coil. i'll be checking out some parts stores, too, so i'll be back with news, hopefully. btw, the motor is shipping today!! yeah!
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69maverick
Gearhead Posts: 906
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-19-2001 04:03 PM
I think ? You have to get one for a 86 if you want the steel gear 85 is cast! I got mine at Advance Auto for 45 bucks
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67resto-coupe
Gearhead Posts: 123
From: sacramento, ca. usa
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-19-2001 09:52 PM
i think i found it, kragen and napa seem to be neck and neck, pricewise...pn#30-2831 or NRD482831. only thing is trying to get out from paying the core charge...$20 either way. puts the $53 part up to $73, but i guess it's still cheaper than the $190 billet msd...
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MrXerox
Gearhead Posts: 327
From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 07-19-2001 11:24 PM
But not as cheap as the $73 + $190 that you will be paying when you end up buying both 
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67resto-coupe
Gearhead Posts: 123
From: sacramento, ca. usa
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-20-2001 12:03 AM
darn, just when i thought i had it figured out, you go and throw me another curve ball! only thing is...when i call msd tech, they tell me that their billet dist. only come with a bronze/cast iron gear and that i'll still have to go and buy a steel one and have it pressed on...what gives? maybe i just got the wrong tech guy or something. maybe i'll try summit...
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JAAZZY
Gearhead Posts: 745
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 07-18-2001 07:22 PM
Sorry for the stupid question but why is the steel gear necessary?I figure if you've got that much bind that it break your gear it would be a hell of a lot better to break the one on the dist. rather than bind the cam and damage the motor. Someone explain please.
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